[Tavern The Voice of the North — 2:00 PM]
The tavern had something that in Veltharr served as afternoon entertainment — a space with a magical amplification system and a book of regional songs.
Basically: border-town karaoke.
The team found it by accident when the boy pointed at the music coming through the door.
"What's that?"
"Someone singing," said Emily.
"In public?"
"Voluntarily."
The boy processed that.
"Can anyone do it?"
"Anyone who pays for a turn."
They looked at Alex simultaneously.
Alex looked at his purse and sighed.
"I know."
---
Emily sang first because no one else wanted to go first.
Soft voice, in tune — the kind of voice that combines with light magic in ways that made sense. The song was something regional from Veltharr that she didn't know completely; she read the lyrics from the book and followed along, getting lost once and recovering.
The team applauded.
The tavern too.
Emily sat back down with slightly red cheeks.
"That was horrible."
